It is a fact that most of the people often use online services for banking, social networking, emails and many other purposes and there is certainly a threat exist as someone may steal your valuable information simply by hacking methods or through viruses, cookies etc. Cloud-based services have risen up from hell recently to support multiple files storage at no cost again which is necessarily not required for all and many people are likely unaware that their data can be accessed easily by the government and legal authorities such as ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), NASA to mention few.

However, in the public pool, you can always stay secured from spammers and people who are trying unauthorized access to your accounts by following these simple steps. "The only true protection is to understand that anything you put up there can be accessed by somebody else- pcworld.com"

1# Store Online lessYou must certainly reduce the level of your personal data to be stored online and stay assured that your valuables will not go in wrong hands online.

2# Use Cloud-Based Services carefullyEven though cloud-based services such as Google Drive, One drive, and Box are of a great help to current busy people, stay focused to avoid spammers do not enter into your accounts. Instead, you can keep your valuable bank-level information files right on your hard drives and make them password protected. Programs such as My Lockbox, BitLocker, FileValut, True Crypt will encrypt your drives from anyone other than you.

3# Use software based email servicesEnsure you use software based email program instead of a web based like Google's Gmail. This will ensure that your email data won't load on cloud-based servers and stay on local drives. Programs such as GNU privacy Guard and Claws Mail will guard your email system in a much effective way.

4# Avoid Online Banking for heavy transfersThere is a chance in million rather in a thousand (in today’s internet world) that you click the wrong button while banking online or using banking app. Instead of having the headache later, try to use paper banking or visit your local bank office for bigger transactions. Use ATM for lower cash withdrawals only and avoid much of e-based transfers where no one other than you is responsible for any mishaps.

5# Use Discs to Store your memoriesStore your memories on local computers instead of putting them on Facebook and other social networking sites. Try using a nice desktop app again with a flash drive or DVD backup if necessary.

6# Use old style PC software instead of online editingInstead of using online document processing services such as Gdoc and Microsoft's one drive try using their local software with password protection again if necessary.

7# Avoid files transfer through online servicesTry to avoid copying and movies files through online services as an email to one drive, gdrive to box, instead use a good pen drive to transfer files between computers.8# Do not disclose your identity everywhere online (Try Pseudonyms)If not necessary use, other names on your accounts so that they are not easily revealed. This way your online presence will be secured to a certain extent.9# Set Windows browsers settings to maximize your securitySetting third party cookies to high, firewall on, turning cookies notification ON will save a lot of your data go online. These cookies can trace your IP, location, time of click actions etc. for advertising and another purpose. Instead, use cookie management system (junkbusters, inermute, which windows or internet browsers provide.